The moai may be what brings most people to Easter Island, but there is much more to Rapa Nui than archaeological sightseeing alone. Between volcanic landscapes, beaches and cultural performances, there are plenty of reasons to leave some space in your itinerary.
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If you’re still planning your trip, start with our Easter Island Travel Guide: How to Plan a Trip to Rapa Nui.
1. See the Moai Across Rapa Nui
Seeing the moai in person is inevitably the highlight of a trip to Easter Island. Most archaeological sites require an accredited guide, so organised tours are the easiest way to see them. We covered two different areas during our short stay. You can see the tours we chose in our 2 Days on Easter Island: Our Rapa Nui Itinerary.
2. Spend Longer at Anakena Beach
Many full day island tours finish at Anakena, but the scheduled stop can be surprisingly short. We liked it enough that we hired a driver and went back independently on our final morning. With white coral sand, palm trees and clear water, it’s somewhere you could easily spend several hours swimming and relaxing.
3. Watch the Sunset at Tahai
Tahai sits within walking distance of Hanga Roa. The archaeological complex faces west across the Pacific, so the moai gradually become silhouettes as the sun drops behind them. You don’t need to book a dedicated sunset tour simply to enjoy the view from the public area. We arrived before sunset and stayed as the light changed. During our visit, sunset was at around 18:30, although the exact time varies throughout the year.
4. Swim in a Natural Sea Pool
You don’t need to travel back to Anakena every time you want to swim. In Hanga Roa, Pea has a small natural sea pool protected from the open ocean by rocks. Keep an eye on the water around Hanga Roa too, as green turtles are sometimes seen close to shore.
Natural Sea Pool in Rapa Nui
5. See a Traditional Rapa Nui Cultural Show
An evening cultural show is a good way to experience a side of Rapa Nui that you don’t get from visiting archaeological sites. Performances typically combine traditional dance, music, singing and costumes, with some venues also offering dinner as part of the experience.
6. Go Scuba Diving
Rapa Nui is surrounded by some extraordinarily clear Pacific waters. Dive centres operate from Hanga Roa, with trips exploring volcanic underwater landscapes and marine life around the coast.
7. Take a Boat Trip Around the Coast
A boat trip gives you a completely different view of Rapa Nui’s volcanic coastline. Depending on the operator and sea conditions, excursions can include coastal sightseeing, snorkelling and trips towards offshore islets. It is a particularly good option if you have already spent a couple of days travelling around the island by road and want to see Rapa Nui from the water instead.
8. Try Surfing
Surfing is easy to spot around Hanga Roa, particularly close to Pea, where local surfers head out from the shore beside town. Lessons and board hire are available for visitors, although conditions vary and beginners should go with a local instructor.
9. Browse the Artisan Markets
There are artisan markets and small shops selling carvings, jewellery, artwork and Rapa Nui souvenirs, as well as restaurants and cafés around town. Traditional wood carving has a long history on the island, although modern pieces can be made from a variety of woods, so it is worth asking the seller who made the piece and what material was used. We picked up a few small souvenirs during our stay, including a moai carving, earrings and a magnet.
How Much Can You Fit Into a Short Easter Island Trip?
With only two nights, we still managed to see the major archaeological sites, return to Anakena, explore Hanga Roa, watch the sunset and attend a cultural show.
What we didn’t have time for were the experiences that need a few extra hours or half a day of their own, particularly diving, surfing, or boat trips. If those are important to you, I’d give Rapa Nui at least three or four full days.
For exactly how we fitted our visit together, see our 2 Days on Easter Island: Our Rapa Nui Itinerary.
